Question
QUESTION: Can I remove the thorny gray parts of the ocotillo without harming it? My ocotillo is large, probably 15 feet, I transplanted it from someone else's yard a year ago, it's green and has a couple orange flowers so I'm assuming all is well health-wise.

ANSWER: Hey, Mike.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "thorny gray parts" and what you're wanting to do. Do you have a picture you could send me?

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ocotillo thorns   QUESTION: My Ocotillo has tall spongy "stalks" and also much shorter spine covered "thorn branches" protecting them.

Answer
Hey, Mike.

You can prune the Ocotillo to keep it more compact if you want. It tends to grow tall and leggy, what I presume are the tall spongy stalks. The shorter branches ultimately should grow tall and leggy too, eventually.

The Ocotillo is a very hardy plant, so presuming that you're somewhere in the South, you shouldn't have any problem. Keep the pruned branches dry.

Hope that helps.

Russel